Hurricanes passed on Kasperi Kapanen despite having top-10 grade on him

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When the Penguins drafted Kasperi Kapanen with the No. 22 overall pick, Jim Rutherford stated the Penguins had him 7th on their board. Was that the Penguins board or the Hurricanes board? “He’s considered to be one of the top prospects in the Draft,” said Tony MacDonald, the Canes director of amateur scouting, prior to the draft. “He’s going to fall into the category of a top-10 pick where he’ll fit somewhere.” Funny how things play out. If Rutherford is still in Carolina, it’s a near certainty he would have taken Kapanen at No. 7. Kapanen falls to No. 22 and ends up in Pittsburgh with a chance to cash in down the road on Sidney Crosby’s or Evgeni Malkin’s line. If Ray Shero’s the GM, he’s not taking a European in Round 1.